太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)类α-1,2-岩藻糖基转移酶的密码子优化与原核表达

牡蛎消化组织内存在的类A型血型组织抗原是其特异性富集诺如病毒的主要原因,FUT2(Fucosyltransferase 2,α-1,2-岩藻糖基转移酶)是A型血型组织抗原合成的关键酶。本研究在前期克隆了太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)类FUT2基因cDNA全长的基础上,根据大肠杆菌密码子偏爱性优化并合成了类FUT2基因,插入原核表达载体pRSET A构建pRSET-mof,将其转化大肠杆菌BL21,用异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导。经SDS-PAGE分析显示,在37℃、IPTG终浓度为0.8 mmol/L的条件下,诱导4 h后出现大小约为46 k Da的特异性目的条带。利用His亲和层析柱纯化及超滤管浓缩目的蛋白,得到单一条带,说明纯化效果良好。Western blot分析显示,目的蛋白与抗6×His标签单克隆抗体、抗人FUT2单克隆抗体均能发生特异性反应,表明优化后的太平洋牡蛎类FUT2基因在大肠杆菌系统中成功表达。本研究结果为今后研究太平洋牡蛎类FUT2基因的功能,进一步探索牡蛎特异性富集诺如病毒的分子机理奠定了基础。     

太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)类FUT2基因的克隆与组织表达

通过同源克隆的方法获得太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)类FUT2基因的c DNA序列,分析其在牡蛎中的组织表达差异。研究结果表明,太平洋牡蛎类FUT2基因c DNA全长为1941 bp,包含180 bp的5'非翻译区、1086 bp的编码361个氨基酸的开放阅读框及675 bp的3'非翻译区。分子进化聚类分析结果显示,太平洋牡蛎类FUT2基因与家鼠(Mus musculus)等哺乳动物的FUT2基因聚为1个分支。此外,类FUT2基因m RNA在太平洋牡蛎成贝的肝胰脏、闭壳肌、外套膜、唇瓣、鳃等5个组织中均有分布,其中在唇瓣中的表达量最低,在其余4个组织中的表达量差异不显著。本研究表明,牡蛎中类A型组织血型抗原HBGA很可能存在与人A型HBGA相似的合成途径,可为进一步探索牡蛎特异性富集诺如病毒No V的分子机制奠定研究基础。     

太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)类FUT2基因的克隆与组织表达

通过同源克隆的方法获得太平洋牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)类FUT2基因的c DNA序列,分析其在牡蛎中的组织表达差异。研究结果表明,太平洋牡蛎类FUT2基因c DNA全长为1941 bp,包含180 bp的5'非翻译区、1086 bp的编码361个氨基酸的开放阅读框及675 bp的3'非翻译区。分子进化聚类分析结果显示,太平洋牡蛎类FUT2基因与家鼠(Mus musculus)等哺乳动物的FUT2基因聚为1个分支。此外,类FUT2基因m RNA在太平洋牡蛎成贝的肝胰脏、闭壳肌、外套膜、唇瓣、鳃等5个组织中均有分布,其中在唇瓣中的表达量最低,在其余4个组织中的表达量差异不显著。本研究表明,牡蛎中类A型组织血型抗原HBGA很可能存在与人A型HBGA相似的合成途径,可为进一步探索牡蛎特异性富集诺如病毒No V的分子机制奠定研究基础。     

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus) CD59基因的原核表达与功能探究

本研究分析了CD59基因在牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)感染鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)前后的表达模式.结果显示,感染前,CD59基因在检测的4种免疫器官中均不表达;感染后,该基因均有不同程度的表达,其中,肾脏的表达量最高.对牙鲆CD59基因进行原核表达,构建原核表达载体pET-32a-CD59,并将其转化入大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli) BL21,使用异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导,获得约为29 kDa的重组蛋白pET-32a-CD59.该蛋白以包涵体形式存在,通过His亲和层析柱纯化和超滤管浓缩目的蛋白后,经SDS-PAGE检测得到单一条带,纯化效果较好.Western blotting分析结果显示,重组蛋白pET-32a-CD59可以与抗His单克隆抗体发生特异性反应,说明牙鲆CD59基因在大肠杆菌系统中成功表达.对重组蛋白进行透析复性,复性结束后,蛋白无析出或絮状沉淀,初步表明复性成功.选取嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)、鳗弧菌、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)和大肠杆菌4种致病指示菌,测定复性重组蛋白pET-32a-CD59的抑菌活性.研究表明,重组蛋白pET-32a-CD59对嗜水气单胞菌具有一定的抑菌活性.本研究旨在探究牙鲆免疫调节机制,并为提高牙鲆养殖效率提供一定的分子理论基础.     

黄喉拟水龟巨噬细胞炎症蛋白 3α重组表达及抗菌活性分析

巨噬细胞炎症蛋白-3α是一种可诱导的分泌蛋白,通过相应受体对多种免疫细胞产生趋化,在多种疾病的免疫反应和炎症损伤中发挥重要作用.实验采用RT-PCR技术克隆出黄喉拟水龟巨噬细胞炎症蛋白-3α(MaCCL20)的成熟肽基因序列,通过双酶切将目的基因序列插入到表达载体pET-32a上,然后转化进大肠杆菌BL21中,经IPTG诱导后表达出了pET-32a-CCL20融合蛋白,以该融合蛋白为抗原制备多克隆抗体并进行Western-blotting鉴定及抑菌性检测.实验表明,融合蛋白在37℃、0.8 mmol/L IPTG,4h条件下得到高效表达;经SDSPAGE凝胶电泳和Western-blotting分析显示,所表达融合蛋白相对分子量为30 ku,与预测蛋白大小一致并与带His标签的多克隆抗体发生特异性反应.经His Bind镍柱纯化后SDSPAGE电泳检测出现单一条带,说明获得了纯度较高的MaCCL20重组蛋白.抑菌实验表明,MaCCL20重组蛋白对金黄色葡萄球菌、粘质沙雷氏菌和嗜水气单胞菌都有较强的抑菌作用.     

间接ELISA技术检测近江牡蛎病原-类立克次体

以近江牡蛎病原-类立克次体为抗原,制备鼠抗血清,利用辣根过氧化酶标记的羊抗鼠血清(HRP-IgG)为酶标二抗,建立了检测近江牡蛎类立克次体的间接ELISA快速检测方法.结果表明,应用间接ELISA技术检测近江牡蛎类立克次体有较高的灵敏度,最低的检测量为50 ng的全菌抗原蛋白量.同时交叉反应试验表明该方法具有较高的特异性.利用建立的间接ELISA技术,对50份自然患病的近江牡蛎鳃组织进行类立克次体检测,阳性率为89%.     

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)CD59基因的原核表达与功能探究

本研究分析了CD59基因在牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)感染鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)前后的表达模式。结果显示,感染前,CD59基因在检测的4种免疫器官中均不表达;感染后,该基因均有不同程度的表达,其中,肾脏的表达量最高。对牙鲆CD59基因进行原核表达,构建原核表达载体pET-32a-CD59,并将其转化入大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli)BL21,使用异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导,获得约为29 kDa的重组蛋白pET-32a-CD59。该蛋白以包涵体形式存在,通过His亲和层析柱纯化和超滤管浓缩目的蛋白后,经SDS-PAGE检测得到单一条带,纯化效果较好。Western blotting分析结果显示,重组蛋白p ET-32a-CD59可以与抗His单克隆抗体发生特异性反应,说明牙鲆CD59基因在大肠杆菌系统中成功表达。对重组蛋白进行透析复性,复性结束后,蛋白无析出或絮状沉淀,初步表明复性成功。选取嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)、鳗弧菌、金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)和大肠杆菌4种致病指示菌,测定复性重组蛋白p ET-32a-CD59的抑菌活性。研究表明,重组蛋白pET-32a-CD59对嗜水气单胞菌具有一定的抑菌活性。本研究旨在探究牙鲆免疫调节机制,并为提高牙鲆养殖效率提供一定的分子理论基础。     

抗冻蛋白AFPⅢ的原核表达、纯化及多克隆抗体的制备

采用基因重组技术将AFPⅢ基因与原核表达载体pET32a(+)连接,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),通过PCR、单双酶切及测序鉴定构建结果.用IPTG诱导蛋白表达,将融合蛋白纯化后,免疫6-7周龄的小白鼠,制备AFPⅢ多克隆抗体,采用Western印迹法检验抗体特异性.通过酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定多克隆抗体滴度.成功地构建了AFPⅢ的原核表达载体,经在大肠杆菌中诱导表达、镍柱亲和层析纯化,得到较纯的相对分子质量约26 000 Da的融合蛋白,免疫小白鼠后得到多抗血清,Western印迹结果显示此多克隆抗体与AFPⅢ蛋白特异性结合.该试验为进一步研究AFPⅢ在转基因鱼中的定点表达以及作用机制奠定了基础.     

七带石斑鱼类胰岛素生长因子-Ⅰ成熟肽的克隆及原核表达与活性分析

应用RT-PCR方法扩增七带石斑鱼类胰岛素生长因子-Ⅰ(esIGF-Ⅰ)成熟肽序列。该成熟肽序列由210个碱基组成,编码70个氨基酸,包括B-C-A-D 4个结构域。将此成熟肽片段导入原核表达载体pET-28a上,在IPTG诱导下成功在E.coli BL21(DE3)中融合表达。SDS-PAGE分析表明,融合蛋白大小为11 ku,在IPTG诱导后3 h表达量最高,占菌体总蛋白的51.8%,重组蛋白主要以包涵体形式存在。对重组蛋白进行变性、纯化和复性,获得了纯化的重组蛋白。Western-blotting免疫印迹分析表明,融合蛋白可特异性地被6×His抗体识别。细胞增殖实验表明,纯化的IGF-Ⅰ融合蛋白能促使人乳腺癌细胞MDA231细胞增殖,表明具有生物活性。     

近江牡蛎热休克蛋白 70 基因的原核表达研究

近江牡蛎(Crassostrea hongkongensis)热休克蛋白70(HSP70)家族成员是重要的抗逆和潜在污染预警分子。本研究将近江牡蛎HSP70基因cDNA连接到原核表达载体pQE30中,构建近江牡蛎HSP70的重组表达质粒pQE30/HSP70。该重组质粒经酶切和测序鉴定后,转入表达宿主大肠杆菌M15进行诱导表达,经SDS-PAGE电泳和Westernblot分析表明,确实获得了重组蛋白的表达。分别在25℃、30℃和37℃下,经0.2mmol/LIPTG诱导融合蛋白表达,其中,在25℃下,诱导的融合蛋白表达量最高,表明该温度为恰当诱导温度;在25℃下,分别诱导重组蛋白表达2h、4h、6h、8h、12h和16h,其中诱导12h的蛋白表达量最高;大部分融合蛋白以可溶形式存在于大肠杆菌M15中;表达的重组融合蛋白分子量约69kD,并能与鼠源抗6伊His的单克隆抗体特异性结合,表明通过原核表达获得了近江牡蛎HSP70蛋白。实验表明,在25℃下,经0.2mmol/LIPTG诱导表达12h,可获得大量可溶近江牡蛎HSP70蛋白。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.